Language/Modern-greek-1453/Culture/Holidays-and-Celebrations

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Modern Greek (1453-) Culture → Greek Traditions and Customs → Holidays and Celebrations

As a language teacher, I believe that learning about a country's traditions and customs is an essential part of learning the language. Therefore, in today's lesson, we will delve into the holidays and celebrations of Greek culture.

Major Greek Holidays and Celebrations

Greek culture has a rich history of religious and cultural celebrations. In this section, we will look at some of the major holidays and celebrations practiced in Greece.

Christmas (Χριστούγεννα)

Christmas is a major holiday celebrated in Greece. The celebrations of Christmas start on December 6, with the feast day of St Nicholas, and continue until January 6 with the Feast of the Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια).

On Christmas Eve (Παραμονή των Χριστουγέννων), families usually attend church services and have a big feast together. Traditional dishes served on this occasion include Christopsomo, a sweet bread decorated with a cross, and Baklava, a sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, honey, and nuts.

On the morning of Christmas Day, children go from house to house singing kalanda, which are traditional Christmas carols. In return, they receive small gifts such as sweets and coins. Families also exchange gifts on this day.

Easter (Πάσχα)

Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. It usually falls between late March and early May.

The celebrations for Easter start on Holy Thursday (Μεγάλη Πέμπτη) with the preparation of tsoureki, a sweet bread braided with red-dyed eggs. On Good Friday (Μεγάλη Παρασκευή), church bells ring in mourning to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On Saturday evening (Μεγάλο Σάββατο), Greeks attend church to celebrate the resurrection of Christ at midnight.

After the service, families gather to have a feast together. Traditional dishes served on this occasion include magiritsa, a soup made from lamb offal, and kokoretsi, a skewered lamb delicacy.

On Easter Sunday (Κυριακή του Πάσχα), families roast a lamb on a spit and enjoy it with friends and family. People also play a game called tsougrisma, where two people hold red-dyed eggs and hit them against each other. The person whose egg remains unbroken wins.

Greek Independence Day (Εορτή της Ανεξαρτησίας)

Greek Independence Day, celebrated on March 25, commemorates the start of the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.

On this day, parades are organized in towns and cities across Greece. Schoolchildren, wearing traditional costumes, march in the parades and carry Greek flags. People also decorate their homes and balconies with Greek flags in honor of this day.

Oxi Day (Επέτειος του Όχι)

Oxi Day, celebrated on October 28, commemorates the refusal of Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas to allow the Italian army to occupy Greece during World War II. Metaxas replied with a single word, "oxi" which means "no" in Greek.

On this day, parades are organized, and people decorate their homes and balconies with the Greek flag. The day is a national holiday, and schools and many businesses are closed.

Cultural Significance of Holidays and Celebrations

Holidays and celebrations play a vital role in Greek culture, as they provide an opportunity for families and communities to come together and celebrate their heritage.

For Greeks, food is an essential part of any celebration. Traditional dishes are prepared, and families gather around the table to share in the feast. These gatherings provide a sense of belonging and connection to one's culture.

Holidays and celebrations are also an opportunity to pass on traditions from one generation to the next. Children learn about their culture by participating in traditional celebrations such as kalanda during Christmas and Easter egg cracking.

In conclusion, learning about a country's holidays and celebrations is an essential part of understanding its culture. By celebrating these holidays and learning about their cultural significance, we gain a deeper appreciation for the customs and traditions of the Greek people.

Table of Contents - Modern Greek (1453-) Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Greek Alphabet

• Greek Letters and Pronunciation
• Diphthongs and Special Combinations

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Basic Greetings and Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Common Everyday Phrases

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Nouns and Articles

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Noun Gender and Plurals

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods and Drinks
• Ordering in a Restaurant

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

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Greek Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Greek Cuisine

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Greek History and Geography

• Historical Overview
• Geographical Regions

Other Lessons

• Greek mythology
• Famous Greek scientists
• Odysseus Elytis
• Mediterranean diet
• Greek cuisine and gastronomy
• Kourabiedes: Greek shortbread cookies with almonds
• Alkyonides days in Greek Mythology
• Greek modes Discover Music
• Ο Γαλαξίας
• The Ancient Olympic Games

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